Car features dying, dead or on life support

Automakers are making major renovations to the inside and outside of cars in hopes of making cars more fuel efficient, safer and more entertaining for drivers. Here are a few things that have already been removed or could be on the chopping block.

Eight-track players: The player was the first major change to in-car entertainment. The eight-track player was introduced in 1965, but it only last five years before being replaced by the cassette player.

Eight-track players: The player was the first major change to... Photo-4556951.61450 - Houston Chronicle

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Cassette players: Don’t you just miss those mix tapes? The cassette player was introduced in cars in 1970, and the feature was considered cutting edge before CD players took over on the dash. The feature has been discontinued.

Cassette players: Don’t you just miss those mix tapes? The cassette player was introduced in cars in 1970, and the feature was considered cutting edge before CD players took over on the dash. The feature has

Keys: As technology advances, automakers are experimenting more with keyless entry and keyless starts. The push-button starts, however, aren’t new technology. Some older cars used the concept in conjunction with a key.

Keys: As technology advances, automakers are experimenting more with keyless entry and keyless starts. The push-button starts, however, aren’t new technology. Some older cars used the concept in conjunction

Manual transmissions: Most cars used to come with a manual transmission, but the automatic transmission quickly replaced it after automakers worked out the kinks. Fewer people are buying cars with manual transmission, and many high-end cars are ditching the stick for paddle shifters.

Manual transmissions: Most cars used to come with a manual transmission, but the automatic transmission quickly replaced it after automakers worked out the kinks. Fewer people are buying cars with manual

Manual transmissions: Most cars used to come with a manual... Photo-4556956.61450 - Houston Chronicle

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Spare tires: The spare tire used to be a standard feature of cars, but some automakers began removing them to eliminate excess weight and make cars more fuel efficient. The undersized-spare tire has all but been removed from new models.

Spare tires: The spare tire used to be a standard feature of cars, but some automakers began removing them to eliminate excess weight and make cars more fuel efficient. The undersized-spare tire has all but

Spare tires: The spare tire used to be a standard feature of... Photo-4556952.61450 - Houston Chronicle

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Steering wheel: Nissan is hoping to bypass the mechanic link between the steering wheel and the car’s wheels. By using electronically managed steering, Nissan could remove some unwanted sensations and make steering more efficient.

Steering wheel: Nissan is hoping to bypass the mechanic link between the steering wheel and the car’s wheels. By using electronically managed steering, Nissan could remove some unwanted sensations and make

Third headlight: Tucker produced a sedan in 1948 that came with a third headlight that swiveled with the steering wheel to improve visibility. Automakers removed the headlight, but it helped pioneer some changes still used today.

Third headlight: Tucker produced a sedan in 1948 that came with a third headlight that swiveled with the steering wheel to improve visibility. Automakers removed the headlight, but it helped pioneer some